Engine starter



YSept. 16, 1930. v.BEND1x v i 1,775,805

ENGINE STARTER Filed June 18, l1917' Patented Sept. 16, 1930 UNITED STATES VINCENT BENDIX, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Application led June 18,x

My invention pertains to an en ine starter and relates more particularly to t e so-called transmission or drive for transmitting the power of the starting motor, such as an '5 electricI motor, to a rotatable member or wheel of the engine to be started, such as the fly wheel. p k

The object of my invention is to produce a simple and eilicient form of drive or transmission, as well as such a drive in combination with a novel form of engine member or wheel in which the gear ring has a yielding relative movement with respectI to the wheel roper. i

In t e drawing, Fig. 1, is an elevation of a transmission or drive embodyin my invention and (showing a ortion of t e engine fly wheel with a slida le ring, and Fig. 2 a section on the line 2--2 of Fig. l.

Describing my invention, it will first be understood that the driving shaft which is here the screw shaft, may be driven directly or indirectly by the starting motor. In the present instance this driving shaft is -shown as direct driven by the starting motor, illustrated as A, being here the extended portion of the armature shaft. The inner portion ofthis shaft is preferably made plain and its outer portion provided with screw threads 2, while its extreme outer end is screw-threaded at 3 to receive the stop nut 4, which by preference is also secured by the pin 5. i

The driving member which is adapted to engage the member of the engine to be started is shown as a pinion 6, which has a hollow portion or cylinder 6 at one end. This pinion has a central, smooth bore adapted Ato lit upon the plain cylindrical portion of the shaft l and such pinion has a lon tudinal movement on the screw shaft as well as a rotary movement therewith.

Within the cylindricalportion of the pin'- ion is located a screw member in the form of p a nut 7 screw-threaded upon the threaded ,portion ofthe shaft and capable of longitudinalmovement t ereof and rotary movement therewith. l is nut is o rativly connected in-suitable iiianner4 with the pinion so as to directly and positively -drivepthe `matically demeshed, w

PATENT OFFICE i ENGINE STARTER i917. serial' No. 175,431.

latter, such driving connection, as herein shown, comprising a ke 8 extending in a line parallel with the axis of the pinion and screw member, with the result that the latter is capable of a longitudinal movement with respect yto the pinion. A compression spring 9 is interposed between the pinion and screw member, the same being a coiled spring abutting at one end against the bottom ofthe cylindrical portion of the pinion and at the other end at the bottom of an annular recess 7 a in the screw member. Such screw member is retained within the pinion in suitable manner as b means of a marginal flange 10 removably secured to the outer end of the pinion.

Describing the operation of the drive and starting with the parts in their relative osition as shown, whenthe electric motor 1s started and the shaft 1 is rotated, the screw member will be moved inwardly toward Vthe motor and will carry or move the pinion bodily in that direction, although by suitable reversals including reversing the direction of the threads such pinion would move outwardly for meshing. When the pinion has fullyv meshed with the teeth 12 of the gear ring 12 and has come into contact with the stop'shoulder 11 of the shaft, Such pinion will be rotated by the shaft through the medium of the screw member.

In the event that the pinion teeth should abut the gear teeth end to end, the pinion will be momentarily stopped and the screw member will continue moving inwardly toward the motor against the tension of the sprin 9. Thereu on the pinion will be turne slightly witli the result that. the teeth will be brought into register and meshing will take place. After the engine has started on its own powerthe plinion will be autoereupon the parts willreturn to their normal position shown. My drive is desi ed to operate in con'- nection with any kind of yielding driving means located between it and the engine or forming part of the engine, such as a fly Y wheel rovided with a yielding gear orI gear ring, t ereby providing a yielding driving. connection between the starting .motor an the engine to be started. In the present instance, the engine member is the fly wheel, and the same is made in two parts, that is, the gear ring 12 and the wheel proper marked 13. The gear ring is mounted to slide or slip peripherally on the wheel and is held to a normal position with a yielding pressure, as by means of the springs 14. These springs are arranged in pairs and are coil springs with their ends anchored respectively to the ring and wheel in such manner that they tend to resist movement of the ring in either direction, with the result that they act as a yielding driving connection and also libsorb the shock and jar incident to back tiring. The springs of each nair are an-` chored at their inner ends to a common anchoring point or stud 15 secured to a wheel and at their outer ends to separate anchoring points or studs '16 secured to the ring. By preference the stud 16 projects farther away from the face of the wheel than the stud 15 so that the springs have the additional function of holding the gear ring in place on the wheel by holding it into contact with the annular shoulder 13a thereof.

There is thus provided 'for the drive described a yielding driving connection between the driving member and the engine member.

I claim:

1. The combination of a rotatable screw shaft, a driving member, a screw member screw-threaded on the shaft and connected with the driving member for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement relative thereto, and a yielding means cooperating with the two members for normally holdin them extended.

2. The com ination of a rotatable screw shaft, a driving member, a screw member screw-threaded on the shaft and connected with the driving member for longitudinal movement relative thereto, and a spring cooperating with the two members for normally holding them extended.

3. The combination of a rotatable screw shaft, a driving member, a screw member screw-threaded on the shaft and connected with the driving member for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement relative thereto, yielding means cooperating with the two members for normally holding them extended, and means for limiting such extension. l

4. The combination of a rotatable screw shaft,4 a driving member, a spring, a slidable drum, a screw member having direct rotative engagement with said drum and screwthreaded on the shaft and operatively connected with the driving member through said spring and slidable drum for longitudinal movement and adapted and arranged to transmit driving torque to said driving member after the longitudinal movement has ceased.

5. In a starter for gas engines and the like, a combined shifting and starting member including; a drum, a driving gear supporting one end of said drum, a rigid memer slidably connecting the other end of the drum to a motor driven element, and a spring ositioned between said gear and rigid memer.

6. The combination of a rotatable driving shaft, a driving member, and a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereon .and rotary movement therewith, said members being constantly connected together for rotary movement in unison and for longitudinal movement with respect to each other.

7. The combination of a rotatable driving shaft, a driving member, and a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereon and Arotary movement therewith, said members being constantly connected together for rotary movement in unison and for longitudinal movement with respect to each other, and yielding means between such members for moving the driving member longitudinally.

8. The combination of a rotatable screw shaft, a driving member having a hollow portion, and a screw member therein mounted on the screw shaft and constantly positively connected with the driving member for rotary movement.

9. The combination of a rotatable screw shaft, a driving member having a hollow portion, and a screw member therein mounted on the screw shaft and constantly positively connected with the driving member and capable of longitudinal movement relative thereto.

10.y The combination of a rotatable screw shaft, a driving member having a hollow portion extending therefrom, and a screw member therein mounted on the screw shaft and connected with the driving member and capable of longitudinal movement relative thereto, and a yileding means for extending the two members.

11. The combination of a rotatable screw shaft, a pinion mounted to slide on the shaft and having a hollow portion, and a screw member located in such hollow portion and screw-threaded on the shaft, and a spring cooperating with the screw member and pinion.

12. The combination of a rotatable screw shaft, a pinion mounted to slide on the shaft and having a hollow portion, and a screw member located in such hollow portion and screw-threaded on the shaft, said member neing operatively connected with the pinion for rotary movement therewith and for longitudinal movement relative thereto, and means for limiting the longitudinal movelli U gitudinal ment of the screw member in onedirection.

13. The combination of a rotatable screw shaft, a pinion mounted to slide on'the shaft and having a hollow ortion, and a screw member located in such hollow portion and screw-threaded on the shaft, said member beingv operatively connected with the pinion for rotary movement therewith and for longitudinal movement relative thereto, said pinion having a flange to limit the longitudinal movement of such member in one direction.

14. An engine starter drive includin a rotatable shaft, a driving member, an a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereon and. rotary movement therewith, said'membersbeing operatively connected together for positive rotary movement and yieldingly for longitudinal movement one with respect to the other.

15.. An engine starter drive including a rotatable screw shaft, a control member threaded on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and for rotary movement therewith, a driving member operatively connected with the control member for positive rotation therewith and adapted to be shifted longitudinally by such control member into operative engagement with a part of the engine to le started, said control member having a yielding longitudinal movement toward the driving member after the latter has been shifted into operative engagement with the engine part. p

16. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movementthereon and rotary movement therewith, and a cylinder operatively connected with said two members for their positive rotary movement and for yielding longitudinal movement, one with respect -to the other.

17. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereon and rotary movement pression spring interposed between them.

19. A drive for engine starters comprising a rotatable shaft, a nut mounted thereonfor longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith a pinion adapted to engage an engine mem er and controlled in its movement by the nut, said pinion being mounted to slide longitudinally on the nut, and a'spring arranged between the nut and pinion and adapted to be compressed by the continued longitudinalmovement of the nut whenever the pinion is stopped in its similar movement by abutting the engine member.

20. An engine starter drive including a rotatable driving shaft, a control member mounted for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, a driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement to rotate such engine member and controlled and actuated in such movements by the control.

member, and means for stopping said longitudinal movement of the )driving member, said control member being capable of a longitudinal movement independent of the driving member.

21. An engine starter drive including a rotatable driving shaft, a control member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, a' driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be startedand for rotary movement to rotate such engine member and controlled and actuated in such movements by the control member, and stop means located on the shaft for stopping said longitudinal movement of the driving member, said control member being capable of a longitudinal movement independent of the movement of the driving member.

22. An engine starter drive including a rotatable driving shaft, a `control member mounted thereon for longitudinal movetherewith, and a cylinder operatively conment thereof and rotary movement therenecting said two members together, said driving member being connected with the cylinder for -both rotary and longitudinal movements together, and thel control mem ber being connected with such cylinder for rotary movementtogether but having a lonmovement with respect to the cyl'- inder. i

18. A drive for engine starters comprising a rotatable shaft, a controlmmember mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, a driving member adapted to engage an engine member and controlled in its movements by the control member, and means for so controllin the movements of said driving member conn cting betweenthe control and with, a driving member mountedfor longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement to rotate such engine member and controlled and actuated in such movements by the control member, said sha-ft having a stop shoulder for stopping said longitudinal movement of the driving member, said control member being capable of a longitudinal movement independent of the movement of the driving member.

23. An engine starter drive including a rotatable driving shaft, a control member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, a

driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement to rotatesuch engine member and controlled and actuated in such movements by the control member, means for stopping said longitudinal movement of the driving member, said control member having a longitudinal movement independent of the 'driving member, whereby such control member may move longitudinally on the shaft without disturbing the position of the driving member after its engagement. with the engine member, and yielding means between the driving member and the control member for resisting such movement of the control member.

24. An engine starter drive including a rotatable screw shaft, a control member screw-threaded thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, a driving member controlled by said control member and mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started, and for f rotary movement to rotate such engine member, and means for stopping the longitudinal movement of the driving member without stopping the longitudinal movement of the control member, said control member having a longitudinal movement independent of the movement of the driving member.

25. An engine starter drive including a rotatable screw shaft, a control member screw threaded thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, a pinion interlocked with the control member and having imparted to it therefrom corresponding longitudinal and rotary movements, said control member having a longitudinal movement independent of the movement of the pinion. and means for stopping the longitudinal movement of the pinion when engaged with a member of the engine to be started.

26. An engine starter drive including a rotatable member, a control member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, a driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement to rotate such engine member and controlled and actuated in such movements by the control member, said control member and ro- -tatable member having cooperating screw lthreads and the driving member having a central bore adapted to slide on one of the other members, and means for stopping said longitudinal movement of the driving member, said control member having a longitudinal movement independent of the movement of the driving member.

27. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a motor-driven shaft having a threaded part, a driving gear on said l'shaft adapted to cooperate with a driven scribed, in combination, a motor driven shaft gear, a nut on said threaded part, a coil spring interposed between said nut and said driving gear, and means to limit said driving gear against further translationl when in mesh with said driven gear, whereby said nut may continue its translatory movement along said shaft compressing said spring, when said gears are in mesh.

28. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, in combination, a motor driven shaft having a threaded portion and a smooth portion, a nut on said threaded portion, a pinion on said smooth portion, a coil spring interposed between said nut and saidpinion, a stop coacting with said pinion for preventing further translation thereof when in mesh with said gear, and means for compelling said pinion to rotate with said nui. i

29. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, in combination, a motor driven shaft havingl a threaded portion, and a smooth portion, a pinion on said smooth portion, adapted to mesh with an engine gear, a nut cooperating with said threaded portion, a coil spring interposed between said nut and said pinion, a stop coacting with said pinion for preventing further translation thereof when in mesh with said gear, and a barrel enclosing said spring, and connecting said pinion and said nut, said barrel being rigidly connected with one of said latter members, and limited against rotation with respect to the other.

30. An apparatus of the character dea pinion on said-shaft, adapted to mesh witli a member of the engine to be started, a nut threaded on said shaft, adapted upon rotation of said shaft to urge said pinion into mesh with said engine member, a stop for limiting the translation of said pinion when in mesh, means for tightening said nut on said shaft after said pinion is stopped, and a barrel rigid with said pi 'on and connected to said nut to permit substantial translation thereof, after meshing, and to prevent relative rotation.

31. In apparatus of the character described, in combination a normally disconnected transmission adapted for connection between a motor and an engine, said transmission including a shifting member, and an engine-engaging member, a stop adapted to engage the latter member, for arresting further shifting of said transmission when in operative position, and means interposed between said shifting member and said engine engaging member, for gradually increasing the torque imparted to said engine-engaging member after shifting of the latter is arrested.

32. As an article of manufacture, an automatic transmission member for engine starters, for mounting as a unit on a motor-driven shaft, said transmission comprising a pinion, a nut, an interposed spring, anda arrel surrounding said spring and having such con-l nections with vsaid pinion and said nut as to prevent their relative-rotation, and to permit some relative'translation. l

33. ln engine starter, in combination with a drivingshaft, a transmission-member including shifting means operatively connected with said shaft, a driving member and a member1 to transmit torque to said driving member when the latter is in operative relation, said shifting means, driving member and member to transmit torque havingmutually sustaining inter-engagement whereby said transmission member may be placed on said shaft as a unit, anda stop on said shaft to engage said driving member when in drivlng position.

Sli. ln a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, an engine-driven mem-. ber, a motor, a driving member connected to said motor, adapted to cooperate with said .driven member, means whereby the starting of the engine automatically brings about disengagement between said driving and said driven members, and means to prevent movement of said driving member in the direction of disengagement duringY cranking action.

35. A drive for engine starters comprising arotatable screw shaft, a-driving member mounted for longitudinal and rotary movement with relation to the shaft and rotary movement therewith, a screw member mounted for longitudinal movement on said shaft and controlling the relative movements of the driving member, and a driving connection established between the said screw shaft an driving member after the driving member has moved to its limit in one direction by final longitudinal movement of the screw member.

36. A drive for engine starters comprising a rotatable screw shaft,'a driving member mounted for longitudinal and rotary movement with relation to the shaft androtary movement therewith, a screw member mounted on said shaft and controlling the relal tive movements of the driving member, a

driving connection established between the said screw shaft and driving member after the driving member has moved to its limit in one direction by final longitudinal movement of the screw member and a spring for cushioning the establishment ofthe driving connection. l

37 The combination of a rotatable driving shaft, a driving member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereon and rotary lmovement therewith and adapted to control the similar.

nl ovements of the driving member, a yielding means which by reason of its resistance coopcrates with the control member for transmittingthe initial torque, a member driven by said driving member and a second yield- `"39. The combination of a rotatable driving l shaft,-a drlvmg member, a control member mountedv on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereon and rotary movement therewith and adapted to icontrol the similar movements of the driving member, a yielding means which by reason of its resistancecooperates with'the `driving and control members for permitting yielding longitudinal movement of the driving member with respect to the control member and for taking the initial torque, a member driven by said driving l member, and asecond yieldingV means cooperating with'said driven member and com-v plementing the first yielding means with respect to transmission of torque.

40. The combination of a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and having an integral hollow portion and forming an annular space around the shaft, and means located within said space and forming the operating cond nection between said shaft and driving member for movin said driving member longi-4 tudinally and or rotati 1t.

41. The combination o .arotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and having an-integral holl no low portion and forming an annular space around the shaft, and screw act1on means located within said space and forming the operating connections between said shaft and driving member member longitudinally and for rotating it.

42. The combination of a rotatable shaft, a driving'membermounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and 4rotary movement therewith and having an integral hol-l low portion and forming an annular space around the shaft, screw yaction means located within said space and forming the operating connections between said 'shaft and driving member for rotating the latter, said means and driving member having a relative longitudinal movement,` and yielding means tending to resist such relative movement.

- 43. The combination of a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon, a confor Amoving said driving trol member operatively connected with said shaft and cooperating with the driving member for determining its position longitudinally and for unyieldingly rotating 1t, said members having a relative longitudinal movement, and yielding means tending to resist such` relative movement.

44. The combination of a rotatable shaft, a driving member having a hollow portion, a screw member therein mounted on the shaft and operatively connected therewith and with such hollow portion, said hollow portion and the screw member having relative longitudinal movement, and yieldlng means tending to resist such relative movement.

45. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, an engine-driven gear, a driving gear adapted to cooperate therewith, a spring operatively associated with said driving gear, means normally separated from said driving gear b said spring and movable to compress sai spring and engage said driving gear for transmittmg a part of the driving torque by reason of t e resistance of said spring and the balance by reason of `-the engagement of said means Wlth the driving gear, and a motor-driven member for actuating said means.

VINCENT BENDIX.

CERTIFICATE 0F CQRRECTIGN.

Patent No. 1, 775, 805.

Granted September 16, 1930, to

VINCENT ENmx.

It is hereby certified that error4 appearsin theprnted specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, line 91, claim 39, for the word "taking" read transmitting; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that thesame may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this zsm any gf october', A. v 1930. l

(sen) l M. J. Moore,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

